Estimation of Thermal Performance and Heat Loss in Plastic Greenhouses with and without Thermal Curtains

Abstract

Greenhouses are important for stable food production, but require large amounts of energy to maintain their microclimate in regions with harsh climates. This study assessed the internal thermal insulation performance of thermal curtains in double-layered plastic greenhouses in Korea in winter using cover surface temperature changes and heat transfer coefficients (U values). The thermal curtain performance increased as the temperatures of the inner cover surface increased and the outer cover surface decreased. The outer cover surface temperature with thermal curtains was almost uniformly 1.9 °C lower than that without thermal curtains, whereas the inner cover surface temperature was higher, demonstrating the warming effect of thermal curtain use. Under a constant indoor and outdoor air temperature difference, the daily average heating energy consumption was directly proportional to the U value. The U values were 2.76 W m−2 °C−1 with thermal curtains and 3.85 W m−2 °C−1 without thermal curtains. In double-layered plastic greenhouses that were covered with 0.1-mm-thick polyethylene, incorporating thermal curtains at night resulted in energy savings of about 28.7%, which was related to the decrease in U values. Installing and using thermal curtains at night in winter is a highly economical method for heating savings. These results can be used to promote energy savings in greenhouses in harsh climates.